Designing Mobile BI Reports for BlackBerry Users.
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Transcript of Designing Mobile BI Reports for BlackBerry Users.
Designing Mobile BI Reports for BlackBerry Users
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 2
Introduction
What does this presentation cover? This presentation describes how a real-world SAP customer has used
various developer tools to build optimized SAP BI reports for BlackBerry device users within their organization
It covers the following topics:– Understanding the mobile requirements for BI reports
– Using SAP BW Web Application Designer to build optimized web-based reports for BlackBerry users
– Using BlackBerry MDS Studio to develop custom rich-client applications for BlackBerry to interact with SAP BI
– Key lessons learned
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 3
Learning Objectives
As a result of this workshop, you will be able to Understand options available to deploy SAP content to BlackBerry
devices
Recognize pros and cons associated with different approaches
Use best practices to quickly create BI content for BlackBerry using SAP development tools
Use BlackBerry Mobile Data System (MDS) Studio to quickly create custom BI content for BlackBerry devices
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Mobility Requirements
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 5
Typical Mobile Applications
Sales Needs – View and update accounts and transactions
Executives – Remote approval and communication
Business Intelligence – Real-time access to confidential information
Workflow– Target participants could be anywhere
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 6
Challenges to be Overcome
Mobility is a fact of today’s business Executive and Sales / Field Service Reps have to be mobile in today’s
global business place
Timeliness Cached information is not sufficient
Real-time workflow is impossible with disconnected or sync-based solutions
Security Typical applications require secure communications
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Mobility Requirements
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 8
Goals for Deployment of BI Content
Content Centralized information from many sources
– Cross-functional audience / Cross-functional content
Security Multi-tiered authorization to control access
Respect internal territory guidelines
Security roles need to encompass deployment
Timeliness Static reports are seldom read when generated
Self-service must be seamless to be efficient
Analysis tools generally best-suited to desktop workstation
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 9
Available Deployment Alternatives
Portal Deployment Perfect to act as a gatekeeper for BPS / BW deployed to workstations Best suited to dashboard content and analytics NOT designed for mobile deployment
Email Broadcasting Perfect for sending reports via email to distribution lists In-line content designed for viewing from a desktop or BlackBerry Challenge: multiple BlackBerry models deployed across customer base
BlackBerry Deployment Best suited for mobile deployment Easy click for real-time rendering of data as required Customizable to the individual PIN holder Alternatives:
– Browser push: Fast deployment of existing web content from SAP
– Custom MDS Studio application: Requires design work to use BW services
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 10
Email Broadcasting
If content is delivered in-line from broadcaster, content must be viewable by any email reader used by the recipient
Design content to be long and narrow (scrollable down not across) for blackberry distribution
Advantages– One template can be ”filtered” to create multiple slices of data
– Flexibility to publish to the portal as well as via email
– Flexibility on output options- Independent HTML files is the only option used if BlackBerry usage expected- Attachments sent to the BlackBerry have to be opened and read by another application- Online Links need to be modified by parameters to be viewed correctly
on BlackBerry
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 11
Broadcasting Best Usage
Best use of Broadcasting:
scheduling
Regularly deploy content to recipients via email or portal
Rich Content for Analysis
Static In-line HTML
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 12
BlackBerry Deployment Using SAP Toolset
SAP toolset provides ability to produce rich content including graphics, tables, text, and XML
Content is web-deployed and therefore can be deployed on a blackberry with a browser
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 13
URL Parameters for Web Templates
Mobile BW Web Applications have two modes: WAP and HTML Default is WAP (WML) when connecting from a BlackBerry device Change to HTML mode (to enable richer rendering on BlackBerry)
– Append following string to the URL (see OSS note 902036)&USER AGENT=WINDOWS%20CE&ACCEPT=text/html&JAVASCRIPT=&NO_SESSION_COOKIE=X
Passing Variables&VAR_NAME_1=MU_04031&VAR_VALUE_EXT_1=01%2e01%2e2004
MU_04031 is the name of the variable
01.01.2004 is the value of the variable
Passing Parameters<SAP_BW_URL Parameter1='Value1' Parameter2='Value2' ...>
Add other parameters with “&“ after <SAP_BW_URL> tag:
<SAP_BW_URL>?Parameter1=Value1&Parameter2=Value2&..
Example, Password Parameter
&sap-user=my_user_name&sap-password=my_password
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 14
Useful Settings for HTML Rendering
Ensure to address the following areas for correct rendering BlackBerry Browser settings (on device)
Template properties
Table properties
Graphic design
Query design
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BlackBerry Browser Option Settings
Browser Configuration (Under Browser Options) Emulation Mode:
– Microsoft IE (if viewing BSP content)
– otherwise, BlackBerry
Support HTML Tables: Checked
Support Style Sheets: Checked (if using style sheets)
Style sheets media type: Handheld
General Properties Default Font Family: BBCondensed
Default Font Size: 7
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 16
HTML Editing Tips
Create a Main template (series embedded URLs) to Control Parameters <a href="<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=LDOC&TEMPLATE_ID=EXAMPLE_TEMPLATE">Template_name</a>
Calling up Web Templates<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=LDOC&TEMPLATE_ID=EXAMPLE_TEMPLATE
Calling up the Variables Screen<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=PROCESS_VARIABLES&SUBCMD=VARIABLE_SCREEN
Changing the Values of Variables<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=PROCESS_VARIABLES&SUBCMD=VAR_SUBMIT&VAR_NAME_1=myVar&VAR_VALUE_EXT_1=4711
Data Provider - Commands<SAP_BW_URL>&DATA_PROVIDER=DP_1&...
Back and Back to StartUndo the last action: CMD=BACKUndo all actions: CMD=RESET
Jumping using Report-Report Interface<SAP_BW_URL>&DATA_PROVIDER=View1&CMD=RRI&RRI_RECEIVER=XYZReport-Report Interface Receivers on the BlackBerry device can be BW queries, BW Web Applications, or arbitrary URLs. The
parameterization of the target action is taken from the source context you have jumped from
General Formatting Tips Use horizontal rule <hr> tags to separate sections of content Use filters (drop down preferred) to limit results Use <br> tags rather than <p> tags to separate objects
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 17
Template Properties
Template Properties Output Device Optimization: unchecked Do not display system messages: checked Do not display warnings: checked Force variable screen display: unchecked Reset variables to default values: checked Read-Mode for Data: Pre-calculated, if it Exists (depends on template
requirements)
Use style sheets to control object presentation Sizing, spacing and colors are controllable with style sheets
Create generic report structures Avoid creating multiple templates with the same data Use queries with exit variables to provide filters or make use of query
views Create central Web templates with links (edit HTML)
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 18
Table / Graphic Properties and Design Tips – 1/2
Table Properties Title: leave blank
Generate Title: unchecked
Border Type: With Border
Objects with Navigation Links: unchecked
Only Hierarchy Navigation: unchecked
Number of data columns displayed at once: 4
– Explicitly control table width so rows do not wrap
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 19
Table / Graphic Properties and Design Tips – 2/2
Chart Properties Title: leave blank
Generate Title: unchecked
Objects with Navigational Links: unchecked
Height and Width of graphic will be proportional to width of tables if Output Optimization on template is disabled
Pie charts/ vertical bar charts/speedometers are preferable
Minimize series to one level for simplified axis display
Legends take up significant space … consider leaving off and making axis display intuitive
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 20
Query Design Tips
Create global queries to maximize reuse Create filters that can be set with parameters
Central maintenance; deploy once
One controllable access point/different content per user
Maximize use of dynamic BW constructs Hierarchies (e.g., profit/cost centers)
Master data (e.g., 0Customer, 0Material)
Utilize navigational attributes to provide different dimensions to slice information
Use exit variables to minimize user interaction
Use structures and hierarchy display to replace ”Overall Result” with ”Total”
Create ”intuitive” short keys for attribute names
– e.g., regions such as ”NA” (North America) and ”EUR” (Europe)
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Mobility Requirements
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 22
SAP Web Application Server
WirelessBlackBerry
Enterprise Server with MDS v4.1
SOAP / XML
MDS v4.1 Rich-Client Application
Internet
CRM
BI
SAPApplications
SAP Web Services(WSDL)
ERP
Custom Applications Using MDS Studio V4.1
Benefits MDS Studio v4.1 provides simple drag and drop tools for building
rich-client applications
Custom rich-client application provides enhanced user experience
Applications function whether in or out of wireless coverage
Limitations Requires Web Services to be exposed on the back end
May require customization to existing Web Services
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 23
Web Services - Overview
”Enabling technology” that allows disparate systems to connect and communicate
Characteristics of a Web Service– programmable URL widely accessible via the Internet
– addressable code that can be activated with http requests
– called remotely using standard Internet Protocols (HTTP; XML)
– provides a standard mode of access for multiple languages and multiple platforms
Standards are Key for Communication– most important of these is the WS-Interoperability standard called BASIC
Profile (WS-I BP)
– a service that supports WS-I BP can communicate with any other service that supports WS-I BP
Relies on three XML protocols: SOAP, WSDL and UDDI– the web service is exposed on the Web through the SOAP protocol
– described with a WSDL file
– registered in UDDI registry
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 24
Web Service Discovery / Analysis / Exchange
XML Web Service
Discovery: UDDI
Schema: WSDL
Communications: SOAP
Find service
Analyze service
Send messages
Three Step Process Universal Description, Discovery and Integration
– Internet registry for web services: advertise and search for services. Analyze the Service
– Web Service Description Language (WSDL) file, an XML file, defines the service
– WSDL provides critical application design details:- How to communicate with the service- Operations and messages supported; data exposed by the service- Protocols and data elements passed/returned as parameters
Message Exchange– Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is used to exchange messages– SOAP most commonly uses HTTP as a transport and supports several
modes of operation– Most common: RPC (remote procedure call):
synchronous Request/ Response pattern
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 25
BlackBerry Mobile Data System (MDS) Components
BlackBerry MDS Studio Visual design tool used by developers to build applications
Used to discover services, interpret WSDL and quickly build apps
Drag and drop component-based methodology
Enables enterprise developers to build rich-client applications for BlackBerry without having to do custom coding
Server-side connectivity based on Web Services
BlackBerry MDS Runtime BlackBerry device software component
Provides runtime services to BlackBerry MDS applications
BlackBerry MDS Services Resides on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server
Binds to selected Web Services and provides secure connection
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BlackBerry MDS Studio: Key Concepts
Visual ”drag and drop” assembly of components Screens (UI)
Data
Message
Scripts
Three Development Approaches
1. Quick Start– Automatically generates first version of your application based on WSDL
information
2. Bottom Up– Generates essential data components, bindings and messages from WSDL
leaving developer to create screens and additional logic
3. Top Down– Developer creates entire application and binds messages to existing WSDL
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Discovering SAP Services
”Out-of-the-Box” RFC Web Services in SAP All RFC-enabled function modules (all BAPIs) are exposed as web services by default
Available since Web AS 6.20, browse using: http://<sapserver.domain.toplevel>:<icmport>/sap/bc/bsp/sap/WebServiceBrowser/search.html
To retrieve the WSDL for a specific function module, use: http://<sapserver.domain.toplevel>:<icmport>/sap/bc/soap/wsdl11?services=<NameOfBapiOrRfc>
Only available for out-of-the-box RFC function modules
Web Services are delivered ”as is” and cannot be modified
There is also no way to configure web service security profiles
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Mobility Requirements
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
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SAP BI Queryview WSDL
http://sapserver:port/sap/bw/xml/soap/queryview?sap-client=110&wsdl=1.11
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Messages in SAP BI Query View Data Service WSDL
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SAP BI Query View Data Service WSDL (cont.)
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Results From Using MDS Studio Quick Start Approach
Data binding from messages (in and out)
Screens created to capture inbound message (GetQueryViewData)
Screens created to display outbound message (GetQueryViewDataResponse)
Result needs to be ”assembled” from its parts:– AxisData – row and column information
– AxisInfo – provides key figure and dimension information
– CellData – provides actual key figure values returned
– TextSymbols – provides characteristics, filters and variables (including Query Name, Last Refresh Date, Key Date, etc.)
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MDS Scripting to Interpret Results
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 34
Wins
Security Handled by BlackBerry Infrastructure
Re-usable Code Useful for any query
Use SAP tools to build content
Build more complicated structures as required
Central Interface Use one central interface to content for all users
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Mobility Requirements
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 36
Broadcasting Advantages
Disadvantages
SAP Developed Web Content Advantages
Disadvantages
MDS Studio Developed Rich-Client Advantages
Disadvantages
Bringing It All Together
- scheduled content
- email deployment must consider blackberry
– rich content with graphics and analysis
– BlackBerry deployment must consider real estate/usage
– quick custom application built from any web service
– no graphics; best suited to interact with field content
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Further Information
Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG)www.asug.com
Research In Motionwww.BlackBerry.com/go/sap
http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/7979/1181821/832210/Optimizing_Content_for_the_BlackBerry_Browser.pdf?nodeid=1206500&vernum=0
www.BlackBerry.com/developers
www.BlackBerry.com/solutions
Public Webwww.sap.com
www.sdn.sap.com
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Further Information
Specific Links of InterestCommand URLs:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Commands for Web Templates:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
BEX Mobile Intelligence:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Text Elements:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/9f/4e9d39d44cd45ee10000000a11402f/frameset.htm
Editing Charts:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_bw33/helpdata/en/2f/776b3d32390968e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Data Provider Commands:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/76/80a1393e3a6942e10000000a11402f/content.htm
Report to Report Interface:http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/99/08629bd3e41d418530c6849df303c9/frameset.htm
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ASUG and SAP: Partners in Education
ASUG, the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group, is the world’s largest, customer-run community of SAP professionals and partners, with 45,000 individual members and 1,700 companies represented. ASUG delivers the highest value to member companies, allowing them to maximize their SAP investments.
Some highlighted benefits include:
– Access to a year-round community for SAP customers and partners
– Diverse mix of educational topics and events through a variety of formats
– Exclusive opportunity to influence SAP future product direction
– Unparalleled networking opportunities with a dynamic professional network
– Unprecedented partnership with SAP
– Access to ASUG Groups and Chapters
To learn more about ASUG, visit the ASUG booth in the SDN Clubhouse, or visit our Web site at www.asug.com.